Riding Establishments

Stables that hire out horses for riding or instruction must be licensed under the Riding Establishments Act 1964 with the local authority in the area the premises are located.

Our duty

Before a licence for a riding establishment is granted or renewed, this Authority requires all horses and the premises to be inspected by a suitably qualified veterinary surgeon. The Authority also needs to be confident that the licensee is a competent person to run such an establishment.

A set of standard national conditions relating to riding establishments are used to determine suitability, with the following matters taken into consideration before a decision to grant a license is made:

• Health, feeding and accommodation of the horses
• Fire precautions
• Accommodation for forage, bedding, stable equipment and saddles

We also consider the following mandatory conditions when considering license applications:

• Unfit horses
• Supervision
• Insurance in respect of personal injuries
• A register of horses under three years of age

Licenses last for one year and must be renewed on an annual basis.

The Licensing Section will also investigate all complaints involving riding establishments and reported accidents.

How to apply

Fees for licences are reviewed annually, with the current fee for 2011-2012 being £115.00, plus vets fees.

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